Teen pregnancy, dreams’ breakdown
Some teens who got pregnant at early age tend to abandon their childhood dreams, some because they don’t receive enough support from their families in order to adjust to new lifestyle as they are raising their children as teen mothers, they then become vulnerable and stacked behind mothers’ responsibilities.
The case for ‘Mariza’ (name changed) from Ndera sector in Gasabo district; young, she dreamt to become an outstanding soldier, but got pregnant at 16 and abandoned her dreams. She got mostly discouraged when her birth mother chased her from home and her child’s father didn’t want to recognize nor help them (mother and child).
‘Mahoro’ (name changed), she dreamt of owning a modeling agency, after getting pregnant at young age without even finishing her studies, she felt like everything was melting before her eyes; now that she’s a mother, she just wish her child was able to grow well, “maybe that child will be the one to carry my old dreams.” Said ‘Mahoro’.
Some got new dreams
After getting pregnant, some young mothers find it difficult to continue their studies since now they have to raise their children and sometimes alone. Some of them keep dreaming, but now in the limit of what they can afford like working in hair dressing and possibly owning one later, or tailor’s houses.
Everything is not lost yet
When she was addressing teen mothers this last saturday in Masoro cell, Ndera sector, Gasabo district, Madam Peace Hillary Tumwesigire, the chairperson of Women Media Owners For Change (WMOC), told them that everything is not yet lost and that she was a walking proof.
After losing her family at 16 during genocide against Tutsis in 1994, her childhood dreams were about to fade. Tumwesigire became a wife and a mother at that young age and not everything was perfect as she was shifting to new status.
Tumwesigire’s childhood dream was to be an air hostess, but due to circumstances she was not able to succeed on it; but later she again stood up and followed her new dreams and became successful. Now with a great family she wishes to happily grow old seeing her children and great children surrounding her.
Everyone can still achieve her dreams despite being a teen mother like Tumwesigire did. One just need a little encouragement to stand up once more, which is what women members of WMOC did and are doing continuously to make a woman’s voice heard.